Herpes Gladiatorum: Another Gift from HSV-1

The herpes simplex virus-1 has many surprises in store for those it infects. Cold sores are the most common, but genital herpes is also from the same strain. These conditions have no cure and are almost shunned socially, but that hasn’t stopped the spread of them. And now there’s a new strain of disease from this virus to deal with. The rise of herpes gladiatorum is here.

Herpes Gladia-what?

Herpes gladiatorum is a skin infection that comes from the strain behind HSV-1. It spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact. It also goes by wrestler’s herpes or mat pox, as it is common in the athletic wrestling world.

If you contract herpes gladiatorum, you probably won’t know until eight days later. From there, a range of symptoms can present themselves. Fevers, swollen glands, and clear-filled blisters are all common. It’s also normal for the patches of infected skin to become red and give off a tingly feeling. These can last for 10 to 14 days.

Can You Treat It?

In most cases of herpes gladiatorum, you might not need treatment. Once the infection runs its course, it shouldn’t cause you any more harm. Once you do notice it though, it’s important to close yourself off from contact with others. The lesions it creates on your skin are extremely infectious.

In some cases, antiviral medication may be prescribed to ward this off. This is usually needed for those who are already immuno-compromised.

In Conclusion

People generally associate HSV-1 with just cold sores, but the truth is that there are so many other things it can bring to you. Herpes gladiatorum is just one more example of this. By educating yourself about this particular infection though, you can help stop the spread.